咏鹅

*Ode to Geese* is one of the most iconic ancient Chinese children’s poems, crafted by Luò Bīnwáng when he was just seven years old. The work vividly captures the lively, carefree demeanor of a flock of geese: the repeated utterance of 'geese' echoes the birds’ cheerful calls, the image of curved necks singing to the sky reveals their unconstrained spirit, while white feathers drifting on green waters and red webbed feet rippling clear waves paint a vibrant, color-contrasted scene. Rooted in a child’s pure, unfiltered observation of nature, it conveys an innocent affection for living creatures. Its simple, rhythmic language has made it a timeless classic, widely used as an introductory piece for young learners to embrace traditional Chinese poetry for over a thousand years.

About the Poet

骆

骆宾王

Luò Bīnwáng

Luò Bīnwáng (c. 619 – 687) was a distinguished poet of the Early Tang Dynasty, and one of the renowned 'Four Great Poets of the Early Tang'. He was celebrated for his versatile poetic styles: his grand narrative poems like *Dijing Pian* boast bold, flowing rhythms, while his children’s works are fresh, unadorned and full of innocence. A child prodigy, he composed *Ode to Geese* at the age of seven. Later in life, he joined an uprising against Empress Wu Zetian, and his works played a key role in transforming Tang poetry from ornate court verse to realistic, expressive literature.

Cultural & Historical Context

1. Historical Background: The Early Tang Dynasty (618-907) marked a transition in Chinese poetry, moving away from the overly ornate, court-focused verse of the Sui Dynasty. Poets like Luò Bīnwáng, a member of the 'Four Great Poets of the Early Tang', advocated for more accessible, realistic works that laid the foundation for the golden age of Tang poetry. 2. Cultural Background: Ancient Chinese education prioritized nature observation as part of childhood enlightenment, and poems like *Ode to Geese* were integrated into early learning to foster language skills and a sense of wonder for the natural world, reflecting the Confucian idea of 'exploring things to gain wisdom'. 3. Social Background: The early Tang was an era of social stability and economic prosperity, with rising investment in cultural education. Child prodigies were highly esteemed, and families encouraged early intellectual development to cultivate future talents. 4. Personal Experience: Luò composed this poem impromptu during a family gathering when he was seven, astonishing attending guests with his precocious ability to distill the beauty of nature into concise, vivid verses. 5. Artistic Features & Purpose: The poem uses onomatopoeic repetition ('geese, geese, geese') to mimic the birds’ calls, striking color contrasts (white against green, red against clear) to create visual appeal, and blends dynamic actions (singing, stirring waves) with static imagery. Its core purpose is to express a child’s uncomplicated joy in nature, and its plain, rhythmic language ensures easy recitation, cementing its status as a timeless introductory literary work for children across generations.